Podcast Archives

Retro Encounter 282 – Final Fantasy XIV Part III: Stormblood

Posted by Michael Sollosi on April 8, 2021

Final Fantasy XIV’s 2017 expansion had players visit the highlands of Gyr Abania and the steppes of Othard, but not as a tourist. Stormblood is a game about casting the light of liberation unto an oppressed people, and helping them tear down an imperialist regime. Stormblood is quite personal and po… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 169 – Meaningful Side Quests in RPGs & What Defines a Game as an ‘RPG’? (Discussion)

Posted by Stan Marlow on April 6, 2021

In this episode, the panel is back from a short break to answer more questions from the Phoenix Edge community! The discussion begins with what separates a good side quest from the all-too-common fetch quest or monster slaying quest. The conversation then transitions to what qualifies a game as an R… Read More »

Random Encounter 211 – Shakin’ It Up!

Posted by Greg Delmage on April 3, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’ve got a panel talkin’ about nothing new but some things new to us. Most of us are still journeying through Bravely Default II! Nicholas got through Yakuza 5 and has his sights set on Yakuza 6, planning to make good on his 100% achievement quest. Brian’s gotte… Read More »

Retro Encounter 281 – Is That An RPG?

Posted by Michael Sollosi on April 1, 2021

One of the most common reader or listener comments that RPGFan social media receives is “not an RPG,” and we take some umbrage at that. RPGFan prides itself on covering a diverse array of games, which includes some games that might be considered hybrid RPGs or RPG-adjacent. Today, Retro Encounter re… Read More »

Retro Encounter 280 – Muramasa: The Demon Blade Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on March 25, 2021

Two Retro Encounter panelists played through four Muramasa: The Demon Blade endings and still can’t stop gushing over the 2D action RPG’s gorgeous backgrounds. But those backdrops aren’t the only shiny things in Vanillaware’s theatrical tour de force – there’s also the lusciously animated food, the… Read More »

Random Encounter 210 – Project Podcast Discussion

Posted by Greg Delmage on March 25, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel talks about what they’ve been playing lately and then dives into some RPGs with underlined titles (mostly.) The Project Triangle Strategy demo is pretty great, but needs some work. Bravely Default II is out now and it’s a big one we’… Read More »

Retro Encounter 279 – Muramasa: The Demon Blade Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on March 18, 2021

Before 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (but after Odin Sphere) the art-focused JRPG developer Vanillaware made Muramasa: The Demon Blade, an action RPG steeped in Japanese folklore and following a long tradition of ninja action arcade games. But how compelling are the characters, animations, and other eleme… Read More »

Retro Encounter 278 – Pokémon Turns 25

Posted by Eva Padilla on March 11, 2021

It was early in 1996 when a couple of modest, lightly-janky Gameboy games were released in Japan, beginning a phenomenon that is persisting (and thriving) to this day. Those games were Pokémon Red and Green, the very first generation of Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak’s monster-catching series! A quar… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 168 – Final Fantasy VII Remake on PS5, Yuffie DLC, Ever Crisis, & The Last Soldier (Discussion)

Posted by Stan Marlow on March 9, 2021

This week, the panel dedicates a full episode to discuss the latest Final Fantasy VII announcements! This includes an overview of the new features and enhancements coming to FFVII Remake Intergrade on PS5; followed up by news and speculation of the new Yuffie DLC episode. The conversation concludes… Read More »

Retro Encounter 277 – Final Fantasy XIV Part II: Heavensward

Posted by Michael Sollosi on March 4, 2021

In 2015, Final Fantasy XIV players trekked to the north and looked to the sky in Heavensward, the fan-favorite expansion game that raised character levels to 60 and introduced Eorzeans to Ishgard. Three FFXIV players of varying experience levels discuss their love of Heavensward and Ishgard, from th… Read More »

Random Encounter 209 – There’s Still A Lot to Do

Posted by Greg Delmage on March 2, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, we bring on a couple of RPGFan staff to discuss ethnic diversity and representation in games, and what that’s meant to them over the years. It’s a tough topic to discuss, cause it’s big. In the spirit of this discussion, alongside some research, Greg is finally g… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 167 – Project Triangle Strategy Impressions & Nintendo Direct RPG Announcements

Posted by Robert Hatfield on March 1, 2021

This week, the panel gives their in-depth thoughts on Square Enix’s recent Project Triangle Strategy Demo release. This includes conversation discussing the story, the voice acting, the music, the battle system, and that gorgeous HD-2D retro aesthetic! Afterward, the panel breaks down the other RPG… Read More »

Retro Encounter 276 – Radiant Historia Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on February 27, 2021

Retro Encounter’s panel finished Radiant Historia earlier this month, and dissects the endgame of Stocke and his companions. The time traveling, turn-stealing, wheelin’ and dealin’ son of a king has some major decisions to make. Is Radiant Historia stylin’ and profilin’ to Retro Encounter’s preferen… Read More »

Random Encounter 208 – Game of the Year 2020: The Continuing Adventures

Posted by Greg Delmage on February 22, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, a whole new set of voices join our hosts to discuss the rest of the Best of the Year 2020 feature! Some new staff and special guests get into the various categories and the games that set themselves apart, as well as their individual recommendations that stole th… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 166 – Mass Effect Remaster & FFXIV Endwalker News (Discussion)

Posted by Robert Hatfield on February 20, 2021

This week, the panel weighs-in on the gorgeous Mass Effect: Legendary Edition trailer, as well as the explosion of news surrounding the upcoming release. Afterward, Eric does a deep-dive—to the moon and back—on Final Fantasy XIV’s newest expansion announcement, Endwalker. The panel also briefly give… Read More »

Retro Encounter 275 – Radiant Historia Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on February 18, 2021

Radiant Historia found many RPG fans in the last days of the Nintendo DS, and today Retro Encounter celebrates it on the 10th anniversary of its North American release. Parallel timelines, shoving enemies around a grid, Yoko Shimomura tunes, and suspicious botanical practices all take center stage i… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 165 – Comparing Realistic and Stylized Graphics in RPGs (Discussion)

Posted by Stan Marlow on February 15, 2021

This week, the panel gushes about their preference for stylized RPG graphics, but concedes what a more realistic aesthetic can offer. Afterward, a podcast listener questions if free-to-play games such as Genshin Impact and Pokémon GO waste player’s time with time-sink mechanics. Finally, a guilty p… Read More »

Random Encounter 207 – Games of the Year 2020

Posted by Greg Delmage on February 14, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, we look back at the best of 2020 in conjunction with the written feature of the same theme! The panel largely discusses the big contenders: Final Fantasy VII Remake, Hades and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. But we suitably go off on our own loves from the past year as… Read More »

Retro Encounter 274 – Final Fantasy XIV Part I: A Realm Reborn

Posted by Michael Sollosi on February 11, 2021

In advance of the 2021 release of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, Retro Encounter is recording four Final Fantasy XIV episodes in 2021! Each will feature a different panel and focus on the panelists’ personal experiences with Final Fantasy XIV, then discuss the characters, stories, and contents on one… Read More »

Retro Encounter 273 – Yakuza: Like a Dragon Spoilercast

Posted by Michael Sollosi on February 4, 2021

The worldwide release of Ryu Ga Gotoku 7 made a big splash in 2020, as the first Yakuza game with turn-based combat, the first Yakuza game not to star Kazuma Kiryu, and the first Yakuza game in 15 years with English-language voice acting. At least four RPGFan… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 164 – 9 RPGs in the FIRST 6 Months of 2021

Posted by Robert Hatfield on February 3, 2021

This week, the panel reviews the next 6 months of 2021, and discusses 9 RPGs that are expected to release within that window! This includes conversation on Bravely Default II, NieR Replicant, Tales of Arise, Monster Hunter Rise, Persona 5 Strikers, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Ys IX, Cris Tales,… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 163 – Square Enix Trademarks Ever Crisis & The First Soldier

Posted by Robert Hatfield on February 1, 2021

This week, the panel catches-up on all the latest FFVII Remake news and speculation. This includes discussion over the recent Square Enix trademark of the phrases, “Ever Crisis” & “The First Soldier.” Afterwards, there is some interesting Twitter activity from Square, that may indicate details o… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 62 – J’Nique Nicole Interview ver.1.9871269874…

Posted by Hilary Andreff on February 1, 2021

NieR: Automata has sold over 5 million copies, and we’re awaiting the release of the mobile game, NieR Re[in]carnation, and the updated version of NieR Replicant this spring. And today, Hilary and Patrick are talking NieR music and more with a very special guest, the one and only J’Nique Nicole. She… Read More »

Retro Encounter 272 – Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean Part II

Posted by Alana Hagues on January 28, 2021

Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean ramps up the drama on disc 2! In part 2 of our deep dive into Monolith Soft’s forgotten classic, the three panellists return to talk about that now-famous betrayal, grumble about difficulty spikes, and most importantly, gush about the Children of the Ea… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 61 – A Very Yoko Shimomura January

Posted by Hilary Andreff on January 27, 2021

We’re back with a panel of four this time, and how else could we follow up our primer to female game composers than to discuss the inimitable Yoko Shimomura and her many contributions to RPG music? We’ve got Live A Live, Kingdom Hearts, Mario RPGs, and more…not to mention a large amount of Legend… Read More »

Podcast(s) Archive